Growth performance, survivability and profitability of improved smallholder chicken genetics in Nigeria: A COVID-19 intervention study

• Published in: Frontiers in genetics 2023-01, Vol.13, p.1033654-1033654
• Main Authors: Bamidele, Oladeji, Akinsola, Oludayo Micheal, Yakubu, Abdulmojeed, Hassan, Waheed Akinola, Ogundu, Uduak Emmanuel, Amole, Tunde Adegoke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; food security; Genetics; improved chicken genetics; livelihoods; Nigeria; smallholder poultry
• ISSN: 1664-8021; 1664-8021
• DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1033654

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on smallholder farming households (SFH) includes increased poverty, and loss of livelihoods. Provision of livestock to SFH is a helpful intervention to mitigate this impact. This study provided a total of 150 smallholder poultry farmers, randomly selected from three states (Kebbi, Nasarawa, and Imo) in Nigeria, with ten 5-week-old chickens (mixed sexes) each, of either FUNAAB Alpha or Noiler chicken genetics. The improved, dual-purpose chickens were evaluated for growth performance (GP), survivability and profitability. The birds were managed under semi-scavenging production system. Body weight, mortality, and cost of production (COP) were recorded every 4 weeks until 21 weeks of age. Profitability was a function of the COP, and the selling price for live-birds (cocks). Body weight of Noiler (1,927 g) birds was not significantly ( > .05) higher than FUNAAB Alpha (1,792 g) at 21 weeks. Agroecology and genetics had significant ( < .05) effects on GP and survivability. Survivability of FUNAAB Alpha was higher ( < .05) than Noiler, with Nasarawa (81%-96%), having the highest ( < .0001) survival rate compared to Imo (62%-81%), and Kebbi (58%-75%). At 21 weeks, the number of cocks and hens differed significantly ( < .05) within the states (Imo: 2.4 ± .2 and 5.4 ± .3; Kebbi: 2.6 ± .2 and 5.5 ± .3; and Nasarawa: 2.9 ± .2 and 5.8 ± .3). Nasarawa (NGN 7,808; USD 19) ranked best for profitability, followed by Kebbi (NGN 6,545; USD 16) and Imo (NGN 5,875; USD 14). Overall, this study demonstrates that provision of improved chickens to vulnerable SFH in Nigeria holds great potential for economic growth, and resilience during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.